Founder and Principal of Clear Lift, an international aviation advisory collective bringing together some of the industry’s most experienced executive leaders, assembled through his reputation, network and three decades of leadership within global aviation. He is also a Founding Partner of Altitude, Latin America’s leading podcast dedicated to aviation strategy, industry trends and executive-level analysis. A trusted advisor to senior executives, boards and investors, Nicolás has built a distinguished career driving growth, profitability and transformation across complex international markets. His leadership contributed to the evolution of a regional airline into a globally recognised carrier ranked among the world’s Top 40 airlines (#37, Airline Business), while delivering significant improvements in network performance, alliance value creation, labour productivity, customer experience and shareholder returns. Known for combining strategic vision with practical execution, he is frequently sought for his ability to align stakeholders, navigate complexity and deliver sustainable business outcomes.
KEY SKILLS
Airline Strategy & Corporate Planning
Network Planning & International Expansion
Global Alliances, Joint Ventures & Partnerships
Labour Relations & Workforce Productivity
Airline Turnaround & Restructuring Advisory
Fleet, Capacity & Utilization Strategy
Customer Experience & Premium Product Strategy
Aviation Digital Transformation & AI Strategy
Executive Committee & Board Advisory
Crisis Management & Operational Resilience
International Market Entry Strategies
Governance & Executive Decision-Making
Cross-Cultural Negotiation & Stakeholder Alignmen
Leadership Coaching & Executive Mentoring
ENVIRONMENT
Turnaround & Chapter 11 advisory
Optimisation & Resource Management
Customer Experience Operational Transformation
Product Re-engeneering
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Operational Efficiency | Growth and Expansion:
Negotiated Aeromexico’s increase of slots at MEX’s main hub +10%, allowing the airline to expand into 26 new global destinations (i.e. London Heathrow, Narita, Buenos Aires, Rome, Barcelona, Shanghai, Bogotá, Lima, Santiago, Sao Paolo)
Participated in modernization of Mexico’s Bilateral Negotiations (Airline Side) to allow a free market access (USA, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, China, Japan)
Maximized airplane resources by increased fleet utilization +17% with “red eye / night flights”
Coordinated on time crew resources for new aircraft to comply with Global growth of the airline.
Cost Management:
During COVID and Chapter 11, achieved 28% labour unionized unit cost and increased crew productivity +20% through negotiations with key stakeholders (Unions, Executive Committee, Board Members and Lender)
Optimized manpower and safe & life quality of 4.800 crew members representing 78% of total employment cost (15% of total P&L cost) with 67% of total employees.
Coordinated several Board presentations to successfully incorporate new aircraft (new incorporation of B777, B737, B767-300, E145, E190)
Customer Centricity:
Negotiated and participated in creation of SkyTeam Alliance and tactical Global Coverage alliances (JAL, LAN, AVIANCA, AIR EUROPA, VIRGIN)
Implemented Training, culture and business process strategies to increase NPS by +16%.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Education: Global MBA from Thunderbird University | BA in Economics and Latin American Studies from NYU
Languages: Spanish (Native); English (Bilingual); German (Fluent); Italian (Business Conversation).
Publications: Predictive Artificial Intelligence in Commercial Aviation: Proactive Crisis Management vs. Reactive Response” for the book “Designing, Marketing and Delivering a Connected, Seamless Travel Experience” by Nawal Taneja.
Public speaking and moderator engagements: CEO AVMARK Conference (2002 Miami); Annual Jeppesen User Conference (2011 Zürich), World Routes Forum (2011 Berlin); Airline International Symposium (2024 Hanoi), Aviation Festival Americas Terrapinn (2024 Miami). Co-Founder and Co-Host of Altitude (started 2025) – Aviation Leaders, providing executive analysis and thought leadership on commercial aviation developments across Latin America and globally.
Constantly looking for opportunities within the transport industry (or related businesses i.e. consulting, airport development, international agencies) in the EMEA region, to share my global expansion knowledge and harvest new trends that will bring immediate growth and customer satisfaction.